Health and Safety Information and Resources

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The health, safety, and well-being of all Keene State College (KSC) study away participants are our highest priorities. The Global Education Office (GEO) works closely with students before they depart to help them prepare for a safe and meaningful experience abroad. Preparation includes guidance on health awareness, cultural adjustment, and the academic and personal support resources available to them.

GEO also monitors global conditions, maintains an up-to-date Crisis Management Plan, and encourages both students and families to remain informed and proactive.

More detailed information is provided in the Study Away Handbook, sent to students 2–4 months prior to departure. Students are encouraged to take ownership of their health, safety, and decision-making while abroad.

Key Health & Safety Resources for Global Travel:

Important KSC Contacts for Study Away

There’s a common saying in international education: “It takes a campus to make study away happen.” At Keene State College, this couldn’t be more true. Study away programs are made possible through the collaboration of many individuals and departments—from faculty and academic advisors to staff in housing, financial aid, the registrar’s office, and beyond.

While the Global Education Office serves as the central hub for all study away planning and support, other campus offices also play important roles. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.

Student Financial Services
Billing, financial aid, scholarships
800-572-1909 or 603-358-2280 / ksc.sfs@keene.edu

Transitions and Community Living
Housing, room assignments, housing contracts 603-358-2339 / communityliving@keene.edu

Registrar’s Office
Enrollment, transcripts, transfer credit 603-358-2321 / kscregistrar@keene.edu

Off-Hours Contact

In the event that a situation arises outside of GEO’s regular hours, please call KSC Campus Safety (603-358-2228), who will be able to contact the necessary school official. Make sure you clearly explain that you are away on a GEO program and provide a contact number to reach you.

KSC Global Course and Program Suspension Policy

The KSC International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) evaluates education abroad activities when a significant health or safety concern is raised and issues recommendations on whether to suspend that international activity. They may decide to suspend an education abroad activity before a program starts or while it is in process. This committee will determine whether to suspend an education abroad activity based on the ITRRC Review Criteria.

Health or safety concerns may arise from a number of sources, including U.S. State Department travel advisories, travel advisories from governmental or non-governmental health organizations, risk assessments from travel assistance providers, KSC faculty and staff with an expertise in the area, natural disasters, on-site staff officials or other indicators of potential health or safety threats.

In emergency situations where it is impractical for the International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) to meet, the Provost for Academic Affairs and Director of the Global Education Center may take immediate steps to have students removed from a country, region or area. KSC program leaders may take immediate steps to remove students from a country, region or area without prior action by the committee if prompt action is needed to ensure student safety. The individual program director or designee will notify the Committee within 24 hours of any such emergency action.

Review Criteria

In deciding whether to suspend a KSC-sponsored education abroad activity, the ITRRC will consider the following factors:

The educational purpose of the activity
The educational, research, service, outreach, or professional development importance of the activity in relation to the students’ KSC program
The political and physical conditions in the destination country(ies)
The level of risk to students’ health and safety
Travel conditions and the ability to evacuate students, if necessary
The manageability of legal risk to the University Committee Membership

The International Travel Risk Review Committee (ITRRC) is comprised of:

Provost for Academic Affairs or his/her appointee
The VP of Student Affairs or his/her appointee
Director, Global Education office
Director, Campus Safety

These officials may delegate their responsibilities to others within their areas of authority. Other key individuals from KSC or beyond may be brought in for consultation and advice, depending on the circumstances unfolding and the type of global trip and/or activity. Recommendations made by the Committee are forwarded to the Provost and President for final decision